Overview
Bronchitis is an inflammation of your lungs, which can be due to various reasons, the most common ones being smoking and irritation due to chemicals. So, whether you are a heavy smoker or just unlucky to be living in a polluted environment, you have a great risk of having bronchitis. The inflammation is sometimes acute but can also become chronic if the patient doesn’t follow the guidelines. You need to recognize the symptoms early to get the right advice from a medical practitioner; delaying can make it worse, making it hard for you to breathe and, in extreme cases, could also lead to fatality.
Will antibiotics help bronchitis?
Do antibiotics help with bronchitis? If you have bacterial bronchitis, then certainly! An antibiotic course will greatly reduce the severity and even cure the infection. However, before you assume you have bacterial bronchitis, it is vital that you take medical advice. Mostly, bronchitis arises from viral infections but may be caused by many reasons, only one of which is bacterial. Therefore, consuming antibiotics for other types of bronchitis might not be too helpful and might even lead to adverse effects or cause antibiotic resistance.
At the same time, it’s important to note that bacterial bronchitis can happen, too, which can lead to serious conditions such as pneumonia or tuberculosis if not treated promptly. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotics to patients with chronic bronchitis after assessing their condition since such patients might be prone to exacerbations and superimposed bacterial infections.
Antibiotics are particularly helpful in curing a type of bronchitis called Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis, which occurs commonly in children after repeated viral illnesses that make the bronchioles and trachea lining weak and susceptible to bacterial infections.
What are the types of antibiotics for bronchitis?
While the most common bacteria that cause bronchitis are Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Haemophilus Influenzae, bronchitis can be caused by several other bacterial types as well. A doctor might ask you to do a sputum test in certain situations to determine the type of bacteria infecting you. Based on that information, we can prescribe the best antibiotics for bronchitis. However, in most situations, doctors are experienced enough to prescribe the best antibiotics for bronchitis immediately upon inspection. After seeing a doctor, your prescription might have one or more of the following antibiotics:
- Macrolides such as Azithromycin
- Penicillin alternatives such Amoxicillin
- Tetracyclines such as Doxycycline
- Fluoroquinolones such as Ciprofloxacin
- Third Generation Cephalosporins such as Ceftriaxone
What is the most prescribed antibiotic for bronchitis?
Patients usually ask “what is the best antibiotic for bronchitis” but the answer differs depending on the situation and treatment protocols. However experts usually agree that antibiotics for bronchitis only work when there’s a bacterial background to it. And in those cases most physicians might prescribe either Azithromycin or amoxicillin, two of the best antibiotics for bronchitis in adults.
How long can I take antibiotics for bronchitis?
Antibiotics are almost always taken in courses; for example, doctors can prescribe Azithromycin for 5 days. However, there are different types of antibiotics with different levels of effectiveness based on different types of bacteria, so, for example, one might ask how many days to take amoxicillin for bronchitis? A typical amoxicillin course can last from 7 to 10 days for a single course. But it really depends on the severity, effectiveness, and underlying factors. A doctor can examine your specific condition and determine whether you require antibiotics or not and if you do, how much? Although it is generally accepted that antibiotics are the best treatment for bacterial infections, including bacterial bronchitis, taking antibiotics for a shorter than the recommended course or for extended periods can cause side effects and create antibiotic resistance.
Why should you get your bronchitis treated immediately?
Acute bronchitis might not feel severe, but it has a tendency to become chronic if not managed properly. Chronic bronchitis may last as long as 3 months in a span of two years, but that is not the main concern; persistent bronchitis can lead to permanent damage to the bronchial lining, which might make it susceptible to even severe diseases such as pneumonia or tuberculosis. Therefore, you should consult your doctor on when to take antibiotics for bronchitis and, more importantly, what irritants to avoid since chronic bronchitis can be triggered by smoking, air pollution, smog, etc.
When to consult a doctor?
While having bronchitis is never a positive sign, there are certain signs that you should look out for since they might indicate severe disease or presence of other conditions. If you encounter any of these signs it’s recommended to seek expert advice immediately to prevent long term damage to your lungs.
- High Fever (more than 100 F)
- Phlegm with Blood
- Lethargy
- Difficulty Breathing
- Weight Loss
- You have underlying conditions (such as CHF)
- Pregnancy
FAQs about the antibiotic for bronchitis
Bronchitis comes in different forms. It can be acute or chronic, viral or bacterial, severe or mild. Therefore, there is no “one-size-fits-all” medication for bronchitis. A doctor will assess your condition and prescribe you the best medication for bronchitis based on your situation.
Doctors usually ask you questions about your lifestyle upon which appropriate medication, along with certain lifestyle changes such as avoiding irritants and remedies, will be suggested to help get rid of your bronchitis fast.
If the doctor has diagnosed your bronchitis to be bacterial in origin they will prescribe you the best antibiotics for chest congestion and bronchitis. However, it is highly recommended that you do not take any antibiotics without thorough assessment by a medical expert as antibiotics are used solely to treat bacterial infection and might cause adverse effects if not taken according to the guidelines.
